I knoooooow. Have been meaning to do this for.ev.er, Sandlot style. Finally.

If you didn’t know, I’m a self proclaimed Trader Joe’s junkie. I could live inside that place. Every time I’m there, I walk around like a total freak, staring at everything like I’ve never been in a grocery store before. It’s so embarrassing and I don’t even care. Over the past few years I’ve shared somerandomposts about my shopping trips, but one of the most frequently asked questions I receive is “OMG what should I get at Trader Joes?!”

Obviously, I could list a TON of stuff. But I’ve scaled it down to a list of basics (hahahah)… if that’s what you want to call it. These are the things that I almost always buy when I’m there, or things that I might even make a special trip for. They tend to be *my favorite* of each item – so when I run out of canned light coconut milk, I much prefer to go get some from TJs instead of buying a can of the Thai Kitchen stuff at my local grocery store. Got it?

I tried to list things in reference to where they are located in the store. Tried being the operative word here. Oh! And I also put the list in the cute little box down there so you can print it and maybe even save it to your ziplist shopping list. (If you’re curious about the recipe box/shopping list, click here.) I also probably forgot some stuff. I’m going to continue to add to this list as life goes on.

Keep in mind that I do quite a bit of cooking (hello understatement of the century) over here in this little life. Because of that, some of the awesome-but-not-practical products didn’t make my list… like their cake or quick bread mixes which are supposed to be phenom. What I really want you guys to do, for mostly selfish purposes, is leave comments about YOUR favorite Trader Joe’s products. That way the next time I shop, I can buy it all. I mean… I can share the list with all my invisible internet friends.

Here are a few of my annoying-but-necessary notes:

1. Pennsylvania is a alcohol-controlled state which means that my TJs doesn’t carry beer, wine or any alcohol. Yeah. For like the first two years when one of you mentioned “two buck chuck” I definitely thought you meant ground beef or something. Hence the lack of boozy ingredients on the list.

2. I don’t buy a ton of the frozen foods because they come in SUCH small serving sizes, and well, when you’re married to someone who eats for four people every single night, that junk just doesn’t fly. It’s not practical for us. Please tell me some of your favorite frozen things that I haven’t mentioned and I will grab them for my next single lady night.

3. I didn’t list much produce since it differs depending on the area and um, an apple tastes like an apple, but TJs has a ton of organic stuff that my grocery store doesn’t. If it looks good, I’ll definitely buy it. It also tends to be a lot cheaper than my grocery store, so again, if it looks good, I’ll buy it. I’ll usually stick to the dirty dozen and try to buy local produce closer to me if I can. In regards to produce that I always buy there because it is cheaper, pomegranates, bananas and avocados top the list.

4. Same goes with their “fresh” meats – I don’t exactly know how fresh they are, and again, that whole having-a-husband-who-eats-like-an-adolescent-boy thing throws a wrench into the serving sizes. The thing I occasionally buy is an organic free range whole chicken to roast.

5. My favorite cheeses definitely tend to be the seasonal ones, like the chocolate cheddar cheese and the syrah-soaked toscano. I grab those before anything else. Otherwise, I’m sort of a slave to the outrageously overpriced counter located in Whole Foods. But I still grab cheese if I need it. I love their selection of goat milk products.

Directions:

Since I’m so dramatic you know I could list a million more things, buuuut I gotta draw the line somewhere. For once.

[This post will be filed under the Crumbs page, but for future reference and quick reference to this and the other TJs post, click the “category” drop down menu in the right side bar and choose select Trader Joe’s.]

Looooove Tjs! Seriously, I have a problem. Im so good about regular grocery shopping and making a list & using coupons. But as soon as I step in TJs I turn into a maniac. Here’s my current list of favorites…

The most prominent thing I feel you are missing out on are the precooked lentils, found in the fridge veggie section, which can be used in my version of this: http://www.uglygreenchair.com/archive/001066.html which I top with plain greek yogurt mixed with generous amounts of cumin, cayenne, and garlic salt. Easiest dinner, so yum!

I love that they have bags of organic Power to the Greens in the produce section which are baby kale, chard and spinach and awesome for smoothies…those dark chocolate coconut caramel bars are awesome too. The frozen mandarin chicken mixed with their general tso’ sauce and frozen fried rice is good, frozen breaded eggplant, frozen Argentinian shrimp (its very sweet and tastes like lobster) balsamic glaze which is great on caprese salad, marinated mozzarella balls, horseradish hummus and pita chips, the kids love the movie theater popcorn and I buy all my pasta there. Their canned green chilies and whole tomatoes make great homemade salsa. Their non-food items I love is the multi purpose cleaner, their Nourish spa shampoo and conditioner is the best I’ve ever used, coconut body butter, Dr Bronner’s peppermint liquid soap, Oscillo to keep on hand for the winter and my dogs love the dog treats. I love everything at TJ’s except their frozen sweet potato gnocchi which tasted good but stuck to the pan and left much to be desired as far as presentation on the plate, i can’t really think of anything else we haven’t liked. I go in there too and just walk around looking at everything like its the first time I’ve been in there, except my boys are always with me and they hate that I take so long!

And there was one magical week in the summer when their peaches were absolute perfection. And I do not normally like peaches. They were the perfect ripeness, heaven in your mouth. We bought a full flat and I gorged myself on greek yogurt with peaches, granola and honey. Oh man, if I can’t get those again next year there will be tears. Everywhere else, the farmer’s market, other grocer’s all boasted peach season – they could not match TJ’s, I have no idea why.

I do pretty much all my shopping at Trader Joe’s. They are the best. I love the holiday season the best there. Have you ever tried the organic free trade dark chocolate bar? I eat one of those a week. It is a wonderful treat.

thank you for your list – i love tjs too! its always fun to see products people love! i’m always stocking up on their snacks – my husband eats like a teenage boy too – massive portions!
i was wondering if you have any favorite recipes/meals to make out of all fo their amazing products!
thanks!

You wouldn’t expect it, but their shampoo and conditioner are AMAZING and SO cheap. Better than any other semi-cheap stuff, like Pantene or Loreal etc and the bottle are huge. Also, the green tea face washing wipes are gentle but strong enough to make me feel like I got a good face-wash in without splashing water all over my bathroom counter/floor (sorry, I’m lazy like that).

Olive Oil Popcorn (bagged by the chips)…the best snack ever! Roasted Gorgonzola Crackers…amazing! I had their coconut milk yogurt on my last trip there…unbelievably delicious! And that coconut body butter is fabulous!!

Love the list and for me, I think their frozen foods are perfect – but I don’t buy the single serving stuff either – not cost effective! But their frozen artichokes, frozen mango, frozen fried rice, frozen ‘chik’n nuggets’ – that stuff is always in rotation.

And their dried fruit and nuts are the best and cheapest!

I could go on and on. I love them. I have to force myself not to go in there every day – I live less than a mile :)

I was surprised how cheap their coconut oil was, and it’s organic, too! I haven’t bought coconut milk from them because it’s usually really cheap at our local Asian grocery store. I also love their fair trade chocolate bars. Great for baking since I try to use organic/fair trade chocolate when possible.

Boo, I miss Trader Joe’s!! The past few places I’ve lived, I have been super close to it and now I’m stuck in the middle of the woods, dreaming of the day when I can live by one again (6 months, yuck!). I will remember this list when I am able to visit one again… thanks!

Too many good things to list, but here are a few of my favs:
Chocolate brandy beans (seasonal)- you have to try these! Chocolates filled with brandy!
Chocolate croissants (freezer section)
Seseme sticks
Lime flavored sparking water
Blister peanuts (they are super crunchy)
Unbleached coffee filters (great price for a big pack)
….and much much more

I am such a sucker for goat cheese. So I HIGHLY recommend the fresh chevre in the following flavors (all TJ brand): Honey, Cranberry, and Kalamata Olive. These are delicious, and add a little color to a cheese platter, too :)

I will definitely make regular trips for that syrah cheese, a big ol’ tub of french roast coffee, and frozen organic brown rice (I cannot cook rice to save my life). I also love the 3 cheese pasta sauce, pappardelle pasta, and chicken sausages. I tend to buy fresh herbs there too since they’re usually well stocked and my grocery store will always, without fail, be out of the one thing I need!

The closest TJs to me is about an hour and a half away so I always stock up when I get there. Unfortunately, that means I don’t get to have their produce as often as I’d like. On the bright side, my cooler fits at least five of the frozen tartes d’alsace (tarts wit creme fraiche, ham, caramelized onions and gruyere). To. Die. For.

We don’t have a Trader Joe’s in Canada :( – I have been once and had a friend bring me back the Harvest Grain Blend – which I am absolutely addicted to. I have tried to make it at home – it’s close – but not the same.

Their frozen salmon patties are great. My husband likes to cook them in oil with tons of italian dried spices and we have them over a salad for a lighter dinner. I also love their wheat sourdough rolls, pre-sliced salamis and pre-marinated meats. For lunches (there is a TJ by my work) I tend to go for the 3 spice asian chicken salad which is gluten and dairy free or the hummus cabbage wrap with the tahini sauce, which is dairy and meat free. Both are less than 400 calories and REALLY filling. Their wine selection is really great as well (sorry you are missing out!) and is the cheapest place to get decent wine outside of Europe that I’ve seen.

The closest Trader Joe’s here is about an hour away. That means I don’t go too often. That also means that when I get to go there I get all crazy. And then I get a sample of their coffee and forget it… I walk aisle after aisle and repeat again and again making sure I saw everything.
Anyway, I really like shopping there because that’s where I find good stuff that is also affordable like maple syrup and vanilla extract.
I’m learning so much from this post and the comments! Thanks. :)

We love some of the frozen vegetables, they make a quick side dish. Our favorites are the potato green bean and mushroom mixture and the parmesean potatoes and the haricot verts. The frozen blueberries are always perfect, tiny and sweet. As far as meat/fish, the chicken tenders, turkey burgers and crab stuffed flounder are awesome.

Love TJ’s and living in PA, I was blown away the first time I went to one in Virginia that carried alcohol. I’ve gotten some really great (cheap) wine there. But, you should definitely check out their frozen s’more ice cream sandwiches and the dark choc coated sea salt almonds. Yum!!!!

SO many favorites at Trader Joe’s! I also love reading what everyone else loves!
-Cheese- good prices, good quality
-Wine- 3 buck chuck all the way. It’s delicious! But most of their other wines are pretty cheap and yummy.
-Whole Wheat pizza dough
-Tempeh
-White Bean Hummus
-Goddess dressing
-Veggie Masala Burgers
-Almonds (and other nuts)
-Joe’s Joe Medium Roast coffee
-Soyaki sauce- great on broccoli tofu and rice stir fry!
-Tomato Basil Marinara
-bbq sauce
-frozen veggies
-Pumpkin Butter
-Salt and Pepper Chips with Ridges- so bad, but SO good
-Cornbread mix- I usually do not use mixes for cakes and breads but this mix is so delicious
-frozen Roasted Corn- once you start using this, you can’t go back to regular corn kernals
-Asparagus risotto
-Chicken sausages
olive oil is a good deal, and I like that their loose produce (like spaghetti squash) is priced per item and not per pound. I didn’t list many seasonal items, but that is another one of my favorite things about trader joe’s :)

Thanks for posting your list! We have a TJs not fare from us and I have only been there once because I was so overwhelmed when I walked in. I had no idea what to buy. I plan on making list with everyone’s suggestions and trying again in the next few weeks!

my current TJ’s favorites are the just dried mango (i’m buying 3 bags at a time, its so good) and the chocolate covered pretzel slims. I always have to buy multiple boxes of the peppermint Jo Jo’s when they are available, and you can never go wrong with the frozen asparagus risotto, its a great side dish!

I absolutely love in the freezer section they have diced peppers. I use them for stuffed peppers and fajitas. Soooo convenient because they are already cut up in strips and already cooked! Just throw them in at the end to warm them up! The other “go to” for me is the prime rib. It is located in a weird spot since it is by the cheeses but for $14.99 you can get 4-5 slices from it. All you have to do is warm it up and make some au jus and voila! Love your blog by the way! You write how I think and it always cracks me up!

We like the frozen mac & cheese , the fish sticks, and the chicken drummets. Ty ( our dog) practically drools waiting for his ( dog) beef sticks. The only thing we haven’t cared for the the Florentine stuffed pork roast. TJ’s is worth the 40 mile trip. :)

Hansen’s Diet Gingerale…I drink one every single day! Right now we’re also loving the Greek yogurt guacamole (addictive) and the frozen quinoa medley (we add shrimp to it to make it a meal). Shredded brussel sprouts, acorn squash, and the bag of organic pears are our favorite produce finds at the moment. I could go on and on…LOVE TJs!!

Love so much at TJ’s and so far most of my favorites are listed. I didn’t see these though: Dark Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla Caramels. To. Die. For. Especially when they are just a bit warm and slightly gooey in the middle….

I was hoping peanut butter pretzels would be on this list. I used to live across the street from Trader Joes. Now I live a few blocks away from Whole Foods. Whole Foods (this one, at least) has a greater variety of food, but I miss the speciality items that were so easily at hand from TJs.

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About Jessica

I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.

I am madly, passionately, inexplicably in love with food. Bacon makes me beam. Chocolate makes me shout from the rooftops with joy. Vegetables and I are the best of frenemies. My perfect world would include none of them.
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